DAY 255 Read 2 Chronicles 36:22, 23; Ezra 1 through 3; Psalms 85; 126.
Today's reading: The seventy years of captivity ended, and King Cyrus permitted the exiles to return to Jerusalem. For fifty years the city and the beautiful temple had lain in ruins. Now a handful of loyal Israelites (most of them born in exile) would undertake a restoration.
Memory gem: "Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land" (Psalm 85:9).
Though for today:
"Could those who failed to rejoice at the laying of the foundation stone of the temple, have foreseen the results of their lack of faith on that day, they would have been appalled. Little did they realize the weight of their words of disapproval and disappointment; little did they know how much their expressed dissatisfaction would delay the completion of the Lord's house.
"The magnificence of the first temple, and the imposing rites of its religious services, had been a source of pride to Israel before their captivity; but their worship had of times been lacking in those qualities which God regards as most essential. The glory of the first temple, the splendor of its service, could not recommend them to God; for that which is alone of value in His sight, they did not offer. They did not bring Him the sacrifice of a humble and contrite spirit....
"A congregation may be the poorest in the land. It may be without the attractions of any outward show; but if the members possess the principles of the character of Christ, angels will unite with them in their worship. The praise and thanksgiving from grateful hearts will ascend to God as a sweet oblation."--Prophets and Kings, pp. 565, 566.
NOTE: The decree by King Cyrus allowing the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland was issued in 537 B.C.; the first exiles returned in 536 B.C., at the end of the seventy years.
In Scripture the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, and Esther give the only historical record of postexile Israelites. They do not, however, cover the period exhaustively or in unbroken sequence. Large gaps remain unknown.
The first three chapters of Ezra cover the time from the decree of Cyrus to the dedication of the rebuilt altar about two years later.
Today's reading: The seventy years of captivity ended, and King Cyrus permitted the exiles to return to Jerusalem. For fifty years the city and the beautiful temple had lain in ruins. Now a handful of loyal Israelites (most of them born in exile) would undertake a restoration.
Memory gem: "Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land" (Psalm 85:9).
Though for today:
"Could those who failed to rejoice at the laying of the foundation stone of the temple, have foreseen the results of their lack of faith on that day, they would have been appalled. Little did they realize the weight of their words of disapproval and disappointment; little did they know how much their expressed dissatisfaction would delay the completion of the Lord's house.
"The magnificence of the first temple, and the imposing rites of its religious services, had been a source of pride to Israel before their captivity; but their worship had of times been lacking in those qualities which God regards as most essential. The glory of the first temple, the splendor of its service, could not recommend them to God; for that which is alone of value in His sight, they did not offer. They did not bring Him the sacrifice of a humble and contrite spirit....
"A congregation may be the poorest in the land. It may be without the attractions of any outward show; but if the members possess the principles of the character of Christ, angels will unite with them in their worship. The praise and thanksgiving from grateful hearts will ascend to God as a sweet oblation."--Prophets and Kings, pp. 565, 566.
NOTE: The decree by King Cyrus allowing the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland was issued in 537 B.C.; the first exiles returned in 536 B.C., at the end of the seventy years.
In Scripture the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, and Esther give the only historical record of postexile Israelites. They do not, however, cover the period exhaustively or in unbroken sequence. Large gaps remain unknown.
The first three chapters of Ezra cover the time from the decree of Cyrus to the dedication of the rebuilt altar about two years later.
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